Chicken Run Bedding

[kuanchang]

We are currently in the process of finishing up our coop in our backyard. However after letting the chickens in the run for a couple of days, the ants from our nearby garden starts storming in by the thousands for the leftover feed and treats. To add on to that, the floor of our run is currently now just dirt and grass, which doesn't seem to deal with the droppings too well. What kind of run bedding should we use to prevent the ant problem and the poop problem? We were thinking of using sand or wood shavings, but would there be a problem in the clean up? We also live in Cali, where it gets hot at times, so the bedding must stay cool. Thanks!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Don't put wood shavings down because they turn into a real mess when they get wet!

I would suggest trialing sand in a small area of your run (like one bag) to see how you like it. Some people really love it and others don't. Some are out there sifting the sand with a kitty litter scooper every day.

As for the ants, I would think you would have to do some kind of control like:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/366623/how-to-get-rid-of-ants-in-and-around-my-coop-and-run

 

[kuanchang]

How would you clean the sand after a while? I know shavings could be used as compost, but what could you do with sand?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

How would you clean the sand after a while? I know shavings could be used as compost, but what could you do with sand?

Well, what I do in my runs is hose down the poo to melt it away sometimes. In other words, the sand stays there. The chickens will dig it up though, and if you put gravel underneath the gravel will start showing.

You might want to do a byc search for "sand in run" if you are thinking seriously about doing it. I add sand to my runs every year, but only on the main walkways to keep the mud from sticking to my shoes (4 bags a year).

 

[Back2MyRoots]

We use sand. My husband built me a box with 1/4" hardware cloth in the bottom so I can sift the sand. I have been thinking about using something a bit smaller, since smaller poop bits can go through. though it definately gets the majority of the poop! I compost the poop! I have heard of people using sand in the coop too, though we use pine shavings. The sifting is so easy though, I wonder what the other advantages/disadvantages would be to using it in the coop. Btw, we have 2 coop/run combos, each 8x12, so not a huge space to sift----much bigger than that and I would re-think my set-up.

 

[chickenbythesea]

Don't put wood shavings down because they turn into a real mess when they get wet!

I would suggest trialing sand in a small area of your run (like one bag) to see how you like it. Some people really love it and others don't. Some are out there sifting the sand with a kitty litter scooper every day.

As for the ants, I would think you would have to do some kind of control like:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/366623/how-to-get-rid-of-ants-in-and-around-my-coop-and-run

we put wood shavings down and they are anything but messy... they absorb rain when it falls and keeps the run from becoming a wet slick, when they dry out they're fluffy and dry like when we put it down, and the birds have a blast scratching in it.